Appealing a decision about benefits, tax credits or child maintenance

How to challenge a decision

Ask for the decision to be looked at again - this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’. You’ll usually need to do this within one month of the date of a decision about most benefits, tax credits or child maintenance (sometimes known as ‘child support’).

You can’t usually appeal to the tribunal if you haven’t asked for mandatory reconsideration within the time limit.

After your mandatory reconsideration decision, you’ll usually need to appeal to the tribunal within a month.